Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation Presentation

Cardiac Physiology Presentation

1. Ventricular Fibrillation/ Ventricular Tachycardia Fischer , Kleinstiver , Ojih , Ostafichuk ,

2. Ventricular TACHYCARDIA Electrical Rhythm Problem that causes FAST (but regular) beats in the ventricles, for 3 or more cardiac cycles at over 100 bpm , originating from the ventricles Non-sustained >30 seconds, sustained <30 seconds, and idiopathic tachycardia If left untreated can lead to Ventricular Fibrillation ECG: wide QRS complex Cardiac Related Causes: Disrupted electrical activity due to previous heart disease , including CAD, previous surgery, high blood pressure Non Cardiac Causes : Medication ( antiarrythmic), electrolyte and pH imbalance, exercise, alcohol consumption, caffeine Symptoms: Rapid HR, palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weak pulse, light headedness, fainting

3. Normal Heart Rhythm Video

4. Ventricular Tachycardia Video

5. Ventricular FIBRILLATION Electrical Rhythm problem that causes ventricles to quiver uselessly instead of pumping blood, where ventricular rate is 0 bpm. No pulse is felt It is the MOST serious cardiac rhythm disturbance Result is sudden cardiac arrest. If CPR/defibrillation is not preformed immediately cardiac death occurs Symptoms: Collapse and unresponsiveness. ECG example: chaotic and uncoordinated depolarization of ventricles Number one cause of ventricular fibrillation is a HEART ATTACK but can also occur from: Ventricular Tachycardia, electrocution, congenital disease, heart surgery, narrowed coronary arteries, medications, heart muscle disease (including cardiomyopathies)

6. Ventricular Fibrillation Video

7. Echocardiographic Findings Ventricular Tachycardia May be difficult to differentiate from SVT on ECG findings alone. Using echo, we can image the atrial contraction rate vs. ventricular contraction rate If Ventricular tachycardia is occurring sonographers can use echo to determine underlying pathology (ex. CAD, MI) Doppler can illustrate reduced ventricular ejection https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VZXYNYsdc6A Ventricular Fibrillation Cardiac echoes not normally performed Echocardiographic case studies show “smoke” in atria due lack of ventricular diastole “Smoke” quickly dissipates after normal cardiac rhythm post defibrillation